2 March 2017
DETAILS
Materials scientists at American Process Inc.
and Aditya Birla Group’s, Birla Carbon
aim to improve the fuel efficiency of tires
by combining carbon black and nanocellulose
Low rolling resistance tread material
is a key technology development focus area
of Birla Carbon’s Sustainability strategy March 2, 2017
American Process Inc. (API) (Atlanta, GA)
and Aditya Birla Group’s,
recently signed a Joint Development Agreement
to further explore
the technical and business potential
of combining carbon black and nanocellulose
to improve
the performance and sustainability profile of tires.
Initial evaluations suggest synergies
between the companies’ Birla Carbon® and BioPlus®
nanocellulose products to significantly lower
the rolling resistance of tires.
Research indicates that up to 20%
of a vehicle’s fuel efficiency
is impacted by the rolling resistance of tires.
Increased commercialization
of low rolling resistance tread material
is a key technology development focus area
identified in Birla Carbon’s 2016 Sustainability Report.
Charles Herd, PhD,
Director of Birla Carbon’s Rubber Black Technology
“Low rolling resistance has been and has become
an ever increasing area of investment
and technological development
for tire manufacturers in all aspects of tire technology
including design, construction and materials.
The synergies between
carbon black and nanocellulose
offer an exciting opportunity
to meet the performance and environmental demands
placed on us as a responsible manufacturing entity
in a global society."
Theodora Retsina, PhD,
CEO of American Process Inc.,
“In addition to its exceptional sustainability profile,
nanocellulose offers tremendous performance improvements
for a variety of materials applications including rubber.
With strength equivalent to carbon fiber,
nanocellulose can improve the strength, durability,
and toughness of composites.
It also shows unique synergistic effects
with other filler materials like carbon black
in improving composite performance.”
Kim Nelson, PhD,
API’s VP of Nanocellulose
“This partnership has many synergies including
Birla Carbon’s technical expertise, rigorous
and disciplined development program,
and world-class research facility in Marietta, Georgia.
Our ability to offer large-scale quantities
of a variety of nanocellulose products
with various particle sizes and surface chemistries
also enhances the development process.”
Contact:
Kim Nelson, PhD
VP Nanocellulose Technology American Process Inc.
knelson@americanprocess.com
404-872-8807, ext 213
Birla Carbon
Roysten Dmello
Communications
roysten.dmello@adityabirla.com
+91 8108-659-932
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